ULTIMA SOUND SYSTEM
Discussion
Guys,
I saw a few questions about putting a HI-FI in an ULTIMA... and thought I'd post my 2 cents!
Q) Will you be able to hear anything without going deaf?
A) Yes, just replace the GRP between you and the engine with 3mm aluminium sheet. Use sounds deadening material (eg brown bread) to sort out annoying surfaces.
Q) How do I know what to apply the brown bread to?
A) Buy HFNRR CD II or III to get a 20hz-20khz sweep. If you want to install a full range system, you'll need a 5hz-20khz frequency sweep (ie buy disk III)
Q) How much power will I need to make my head explode?
A) If you buy some crap drive units; you could probably install some heaters - disguised as drive units that can sink 1000 Watts of power and sound awful. I would suggest a good quality amp that can push out 50 Watts RMS into an 8 ohm load with 0.1% THD or less.
Q) Do I need a sub-woofer.
A) No. You just need a proper bass unit.
Q) Where should I locate the units?
A) I would recommend as close to your head as possible, so that they don't need as much power, and so that the bass is more viseral.
Tuckshop.
...errr not sure how to to attach a picture .. and the FAQ is empty .. no luck using the 'Search Site' option ... oh well ... here's an example pic ...
<www.ultimagtr.0catch.com/ultima/2002_05_04/6b.jpg>
I saw a few questions about putting a HI-FI in an ULTIMA... and thought I'd post my 2 cents!
Q) Will you be able to hear anything without going deaf?
A) Yes, just replace the GRP between you and the engine with 3mm aluminium sheet. Use sounds deadening material (eg brown bread) to sort out annoying surfaces.
Q) How do I know what to apply the brown bread to?
A) Buy HFNRR CD II or III to get a 20hz-20khz sweep. If you want to install a full range system, you'll need a 5hz-20khz frequency sweep (ie buy disk III)
Q) How much power will I need to make my head explode?
A) If you buy some crap drive units; you could probably install some heaters - disguised as drive units that can sink 1000 Watts of power and sound awful. I would suggest a good quality amp that can push out 50 Watts RMS into an 8 ohm load with 0.1% THD or less.
Q) Do I need a sub-woofer.
A) No. You just need a proper bass unit.
Q) Where should I locate the units?
A) I would recommend as close to your head as possible, so that they don't need as much power, and so that the bass is more viseral.
Tuckshop.
...errr not sure how to to attach a picture .. and the FAQ is empty .. no luck using the 'Search Site' option ... oh well ... here's an example pic ...
<www.ultimagtr.0catch.com/ultima/2002_05_04/6b.jpg>
Option 2.
1) Install large Chevy engine.
2) Floor it
3) Enjoy the mechanical symphony behind you.
It's cheaper, lighter and (IMHO) more in line with the original concept of the GTR.
Each to their own of course. However, wouldn't it be more economical to buy a Nova and spend the other £49,500 on ICE for it?
1) Install large Chevy engine.
2) Floor it
3) Enjoy the mechanical symphony behind you.
It's cheaper, lighter and (IMHO) more in line with the original concept of the GTR.
Each to their own of course. However, wouldn't it be more economical to buy a Nova and spend the other £49,500 on ICE for it?
I think I've just found the answer to my question
www.ultimagtr.0catch.com/ultima/2002_08_03/6b.jpg
Are they Tefal Woks that you've used? Are the speakers that you've used special high temperature ones, because you know that woks are actually designed to transmit heat, not insulate it.
Stir fried Sub anybody?
James
www.ultimagtr.0catch.com/ultima/2002_08_03/6b.jpg
Are they Tefal Woks that you've used? Are the speakers that you've used special high temperature ones, because you know that woks are actually designed to transmit heat, not insulate it.
Stir fried Sub anybody?
James
Doesn't the heat affect the sound from those 15's? Are frying pans good heat barriers? I thought they were for these 
Are those subs from an old home system? 8 ohms 
All of the automotive world is running 4 ohms now. The rice burners are running .5 to 2 ohms for competition purposes. What is the spec on that amp? Is that a home made passive crossover? Man I haven't seen someone make one of those in 15+years. This is one of the strangest things I've ever seen done to an Ultima. As said...I guess each to his own... If your happy with it, then I guess that's the important thing. I think it would help, though, if you put a little space-age heat barrier, with reflective surface, on the engine bay side of the upper rear bulkhead. It would probably improve the sound from those 15's. The heat has to affect them. Just a thought.
Cheers!
-Mack
Are those subs from an old home system? 8 ohms All of the automotive world is running 4 ohms now. The rice burners are running .5 to 2 ohms for competition purposes. What is the spec on that amp? Is that a home made passive crossover? Man I haven't seen someone make one of those in 15+years. This is one of the strangest things I've ever seen done to an Ultima. As said...I guess each to his own... If your happy with it, then I guess that's the important thing. I think it would help, though, if you put a little space-age heat barrier, with reflective surface, on the engine bay side of the upper rear bulkhead. It would probably improve the sound from those 15's. The heat has to affect them. Just a thought. Cheers!
-Mack
From looking at other people's build diaries of ultimas, the chassis seems different on yours, have you removed some sections or had it specially built?
You might want to cover the base of the Woks in foil or some other effective heat reflective barrier as they'll have the opposite to the desired effect and cook the speakers, being as they are woks - failing that use a little sesame oil which will at least stop them sticking....
You might want to cover the base of the Woks in foil or some other effective heat reflective barrier as they'll have the opposite to the desired effect and cook the speakers, being as they are woks - failing that use a little sesame oil which will at least stop them sticking....
Whatever happened to Olive oil? If its good for you you .. it'll do wonders for your sub
+ The frying pans are to provide acoustic insulation from the engine bay. They also increase the rigidity of the speaker enclosure. ... and in case you need to do a fry-up ... they're ready and waiting
+ Do they get hot? No. They pans don't touch the drive units. I've fashioned a labryinth enclose that lets air in from the sides. Reducing the engine noise that can bleed into driving seat.
+ The bass units are 15" ATC. Not normally used in a house ... but in gigs to provide sound reinforcement. If you put 100Watts of power into them, they would produce 128dB of clean undistored sound pressure ... if you were 1 metre from them. They will however play at 400watts RMS continuously. Which at 6cms from your head would produce an uncompressed 136dB SPL. Enough to shatter the windows of a car that overtakes you
+ Can you hear the soundsystem abover the engine? errr Yes. What sort of amps do I use? 22Watts into 8 ohms. The ribbon tweeters are even more sensitive. 15Watts of power into them and you'll think your a bat
+ What does it sound like? Not too bad
Retrospectively, I should have used a midrange unit too ... and if I'd done my homework ... I might have discovered that ribbon tweeters don't like AC's blowing at them!! ho hum. Tuckshop
Right my two pence worth.
I only have installed an Alpine head unit and two Mac Audio 6.25in mids with tweeters, I mounted these in the panel were your knees go.
Also every alloy panel on my car is lined with two layers of sound deadening material (four or five on the floor!) and a final layer of heat retardent (as on rear clip above the exhaust).
The stereo is more than capable of going loud enough to drown out the noise of my Can-am (without the roof) at 90mph but you are in the stupid 'painful loud' teritory.
The 55watts per chanel (I only use 2 of the 4x 55w that the head unit pushes out) runs the speakers perfectly and provides excellent Bass.
I have over £4k of stereo gear in my cossie so have 'been there and done that', but I can't have a car without and now prefer quality over quantity.
Any amps added to my car would be pointless as it will add extra weight (I added below 10kgs in all inc. the sound deadening) and sap the small battery that is really totally unsuitable for a stereo especially amp's.
Final note at 5000rpm my car pushes out 108db's, whilst 90mph is just under 3000rpm its still well over 100db's and that was measured when the car was stationary!
Do you really want to go deaf trying to drown out such a glorious engine?
I only have installed an Alpine head unit and two Mac Audio 6.25in mids with tweeters, I mounted these in the panel were your knees go.
Also every alloy panel on my car is lined with two layers of sound deadening material (four or five on the floor!) and a final layer of heat retardent (as on rear clip above the exhaust).
The stereo is more than capable of going loud enough to drown out the noise of my Can-am (without the roof) at 90mph but you are in the stupid 'painful loud' teritory.
The 55watts per chanel (I only use 2 of the 4x 55w that the head unit pushes out) runs the speakers perfectly and provides excellent Bass.
I have over £4k of stereo gear in my cossie so have 'been there and done that', but I can't have a car without and now prefer quality over quantity.
Any amps added to my car would be pointless as it will add extra weight (I added below 10kgs in all inc. the sound deadening) and sap the small battery that is really totally unsuitable for a stereo especially amp's.
Final note at 5000rpm my car pushes out 108db's, whilst 90mph is just under 3000rpm its still well over 100db's and that was measured when the car was stationary!
Do you really want to go deaf trying to drown out such a glorious engine?
We spent £300 on a sterio for the GTR. Unfortunately it was the biggest waste of money ever. You basically can't hear the music above 40 mph. Remember its not just the engine but also the tyre and wind noise.
For all the people who haven't finished your car yet. You should know that it is possible to shout a sentence to a passenger sitting next to you (while accelerating) and they won't hear a thing... They really are that loud.
Take my advice and buy a portable CD player if you want to hear anything while driving an ultima fast.
For all the people who haven't finished your car yet. You should know that it is possible to shout a sentence to a passenger sitting next to you (while accelerating) and they won't hear a thing... They really are that loud.
Take my advice and buy a portable CD player if you want to hear anything while driving an ultima fast.
I get much less road noise due to the sound deadening but that is more than made up for by the large acustic vent right behing my ears. (its a can-am remember).
With the roof on I can hear the stereo without my ears bleeding up to around 70mph as the cockpit is significantly quieter (due mainly to the vent being segregated).
However with the roof down its silly to try to listen to the stereo at anything over 40mph as I would go deaf trying.
In my view it really isn't worth spending large money on a stereo, you'd be better off spending your money on making the car quieter.
With the roof on I can hear the stereo without my ears bleeding up to around 70mph as the cockpit is significantly quieter (due mainly to the vent being segregated).
However with the roof down its silly to try to listen to the stereo at anything over 40mph as I would go deaf trying.
In my view it really isn't worth spending large money on a stereo, you'd be better off spending your money on making the car quieter.
Stereo's I have a Stereo, well that is I've got two mono sound producers sticking out the back anyway ......... Ps don't think you will find any F40's with retro fitted Halford spiecals on them!!
Though It might save my Licence if I could play soft music when I'm driving to slow me down........
Naa It would have to be ZZ Top, shit and that would be the end of my driving carrer.
Though It might save my Licence if I could play soft music when I'm driving to slow me down........
Naa It would have to be ZZ Top, shit and that would be the end of my driving carrer.
Tuckshop said:
Whatever happened to Olive oil? If its good for you you .. it'll do wonders for your sub
+ The frying pans are to provide acoustic insulation from the engine bay. They also increase the rigidity of the speaker enclosure. ... and in case you need to do a fry-up ... they're ready and waiting
+ Do they get hot? No. They pans don't touch the drive units. I've fashioned a labryinth enclose that lets air in from the sides. Reducing the engine noise that can bleed into driving seat.
That's all well and good. But it doesn't stop it looking really stupid (if you'll pardon me being so bold).
Another slightly odd "feature" that I noticed from your build pages. Why do you appear to have brake lights rigged up on the rear bulkhead (inside the cabin)? Is it so that people coming the other way can see that you're braking?
James
James,
For someone who does't drive (and didn't know anything about cars for that matter), putting an Ultima together seems like a fantastic, if not impossible adventure.
Even with the manuals deficiencies however, it was far easier that I could have expected .. and so decided to stretch out the project a bit!
+ The obligatory ride with Ted (where you think you're going to die) was terrifying. Noise levels were amazing .. but would not be wanton on long trips.
-> soundproofing changes required. I replaced the rear bulkhead GRP with 3.5mm thick Aluminum. Added layers of brown bread everywhere.
+ There were no internal lights.
-> I found some really funky 26000mcd LCD cluster lights from Maplins. I use 8 of them to good effect ... turning inside of the car into a light display when a door is opened .. looks really weird. so you can actually see your feet. I've got one shining in the engine bay ... and another one at the spinning thing at the front of the engine.
+ I'm useless are reading maps.
-> I've installed GPS, pop up screen.
+ Parking looks a bit tricky
-> Instally a reversing camera (it uses the pop up screen)
+ I like music, but wanted to design a system that would sound good on 10Watts of power.
-> Lot of fun - about 15 weeks - talking with the specialist companies: ATC, Volt, Rel, Kef, Orca. Wrote some sofware to workout basic frequency response. Picked a nice parametric equaliser. I think its hillarious that I've got some cooking utensils 'hidden' in the car.
All I need to get now is a large green 'L' plate.
Have fun,
Tuckshop
For someone who does't drive (and didn't know anything about cars for that matter), putting an Ultima together seems like a fantastic, if not impossible adventure.
Even with the manuals deficiencies however, it was far easier that I could have expected .. and so decided to stretch out the project a bit!
+ The obligatory ride with Ted (where you think you're going to die) was terrifying. Noise levels were amazing .. but would not be wanton on long trips.
-> soundproofing changes required. I replaced the rear bulkhead GRP with 3.5mm thick Aluminum. Added layers of brown bread everywhere.
+ There were no internal lights.
-> I found some really funky 26000mcd LCD cluster lights from Maplins. I use 8 of them to good effect ... turning inside of the car into a light display when a door is opened .. looks really weird. so you can actually see your feet. I've got one shining in the engine bay ... and another one at the spinning thing at the front of the engine.
+ I'm useless are reading maps.
-> I've installed GPS, pop up screen.
+ Parking looks a bit tricky
-> Instally a reversing camera (it uses the pop up screen)
+ I like music, but wanted to design a system that would sound good on 10Watts of power.
-> Lot of fun - about 15 weeks - talking with the specialist companies: ATC, Volt, Rel, Kef, Orca. Wrote some sofware to workout basic frequency response. Picked a nice parametric equaliser. I think its hillarious that I've got some cooking utensils 'hidden' in the car.
All I need to get now is a large green 'L' plate.
Have fun,
Tuckshop
Tuckshop,
You don't drive, but you purchased an Ultima? Driving an ultima is the best part of owning one! Awfully big leap into the driving world don't you think?
How do you manage to get around? Bus or bicycle? Being from "shoot em up/ye' haw" Texas I can't even begin to fathom the thought of never driving. I have to commute 70 miles to work each day.
Your posts become more strange by the day!
Cheers!
-Mack
You don't drive, but you purchased an Ultima? Driving an ultima is the best part of owning one! Awfully big leap into the driving world don't you think?
How do you manage to get around? Bus or bicycle? Being from "shoot em up/ye' haw" Texas I can't even begin to fathom the thought of never driving. I have to commute 70 miles to work each day.
Your posts become more strange by the day!
Cheers!
-Mack
tuckshop said: James,
For someone who does't drive (and didn't know anything about cars for that matter), putting an Ultima together seems like a fantastic, if not impossible adventure.
Even with the manuals deficiencies however, it was far easier that I could have expected .. and so decided to stretch out the project a bit!
+ The obligatory ride with Ted (where you think you're going to die) was terrifying. Noise levels were amazing .. but would not be wanton on long trips.
-> soundproofing changes required. I replaced the rear bulkhead GRP with 3.5mm thick Aluminum. Added layers of brown bread everywhere.
+ There were no internal lights.
-> I found some really funky 26000mcd LCD cluster lights from Maplins. I use 8 of them to good effect ... turning inside of the car into a light display when a door is opened .. looks really weird. so you can actually see your feet. I've got one shining in the engine bay ... and another one at the spinning thing at the front of the engine.
+ I'm useless are reading maps.
-> I've installed GPS, pop up screen.
+ Parking looks a bit tricky
-> Instally a reversing camera (it uses the pop up screen)
+ I like music, but wanted to design a system that would sound good on 10Watts of power.
-> Lot of fun - about 15 weeks - talking with the specialist companies: ATC, Volt, Rel, Kef, Orca. Wrote some sofware to workout basic frequency response. Picked a nice parametric equaliser. I think its hillarious that I've got some cooking utensils 'hidden' in the car.
All I need to get now is a large green 'L' plate.
Have fun,
Tuckshop
All this talk of sound systems of any sort in an Ultina is plain crazy IMHO. 
What happened to just enjoying the engine and exhaust sounds, enjoying the driving experience? 
Its nearly as good as sex! (the wife might read this)
lol @ ultimajohn; how can you possibly compare driving experiences to sex? Does sex provide:
a)up to 600 ft/lb of torque, as oposed to 600 months of non-stop talk?
b)that awesome feeling when you hit nearly one-G as you pull off insane cornering, as opposed them screaming at you for a few seconds when you find their G-spot.
c)two intermittent thick black lines on the tarmac, as opposed to friction burns from the sheets.
d)The feeling you get when you know youre going for a long drive to anywhere and are happy to spend the money filling the tank, as opposed to them telling you, "Guess what hunny your'e gonna be a dad" and pay them maintenence for 18 years.
e) a short blast in your ultima, as opposed to a short blast in the woman..(ok I know I'm gonna get ripped for that one)
f) The car's ECU works all the time, as opposed to hers which suffers chronic unreliability and moodswings when asked to perform at certain intervals
Also my car doesn't suffer a major oil leak every month rendering it garaged
and it also doesn't argue or complain about watching the footie 
a)up to 600 ft/lb of torque, as oposed to 600 months of non-stop talk?
b)that awesome feeling when you hit nearly one-G as you pull off insane cornering, as opposed them screaming at you for a few seconds when you find their G-spot.
c)two intermittent thick black lines on the tarmac, as opposed to friction burns from the sheets.
d)The feeling you get when you know youre going for a long drive to anywhere and are happy to spend the money filling the tank, as opposed to them telling you, "Guess what hunny your'e gonna be a dad" and pay them maintenence for 18 years.
e) a short blast in your ultima, as opposed to a short blast in the woman..(ok I know I'm gonna get ripped for that one)
f) The car's ECU works all the time, as opposed to hers which suffers chronic unreliability and moodswings when asked to perform at certain intervals
Also my car doesn't suffer a major oil leak every month rendering it garaged
and it also doesn't argue or complain about watching the footie Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff